Germany's World Cup campaign came to a disappointing end with a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the Round of 32, following another underwhelming display that encapsulated their tournament.
Aside from an emphatic 7-1 victory over Curaçao, Germany rarely looked convincing throughout the tournament. A last-gasp win against Côte d'Ivoire and a defeat to Ecuador exposed familiar weaknesses, leaving many supporters unconvinced that this squad was capable of delivering a fifth World Cup title.
One of the biggest surprises of the tournament was Germany's elimination on penalties, marking the first time in more than 50 years they had lost a World Cup shootout. England fans, long haunted by penalty heartbreak, will appreciate the irony. Wirtz, however, cannot be held responsible, having been substituted before the match went to penalties.
The fallout has intensified the pressure on Julian Nagelsmann, with many fans questioning his team selection and tactical approach. Across Germany, calls are growing for a change in the dugout, with one name dominating the discussion: Jürgen Klopp.
Whether Klopp would be willing to take on what would be his first managerial role since leaving Liverpool remains uncertain. However, many supporters believe his appointment could spark a long-awaited revival for the national team.
How Liverpool won from Germany's loss
Liverpool may ultimately have benefited from Germany's early World Cup exit, with Florian Wirtz returning home after showing encouraging signs despite his nation's disappointment.
Across his four tournament appearances, Wirtz registered three assists, setting up goals against Curaçao and Ecuador before delivering the cross for Kai Havertz's equaliser in the Paraguay game. It was an impressive return for a player who managed the same number of assists in 33 appearances during his debut season at Anfield.
Nagelsmann deployed Wirtz on the left flank, a role similar to the one he often occupied at Bayer Leverkusen. However, the rigidity of Germany's system prevented him from drifting into central areas as freely as he did in the Bundesliga, limiting his influence on the game.
Instead, Wirtz was largely tasked with holding the width or moving inside only enough to create space for overlapping runs. While he adapted well at times, the role exposed his lack of explosive pace and often prevented him from showcasing the creativity and intelligence that make him so effective in more fluid attacking setups.
It is fair to say Wirtz found his first Premier League campaign challenging as he adapted to the demands of English football. However, his World Cup displays suggested a player growing in confidence, and Liverpool will hope those performances are a sign of what is to come after his summer break.
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